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Single Block
‘Hawk Hill’ Pinot Noir

Auntsfield continues the proud heritage of Marlborough’s first vineyard and winery established in 1873.

Our Single Block wines display qualities distinctive to grapes grown within a defined area at Auntsfield Estate. Consistent quality and character over many vintages has separated these Single Blocks out as producing our Reserve Wines.

Hawk Hill Pinot Noir – This 4 Hectare block is situated on Auntsfield’s steepest hillside where the Kahu, the native Harrier Hawks, fly the thermal air currents hunting for their prey. This old block of Pinot Noir is one of Marlborough’s oldest on Hill side plantings.

COLOUR:  Deep red colour

AROMA: Splendidly fruited, the immensely complex bouquet reveals Black Doris plum, dark cherry, floral thyme with nuances of dark mushroom and toasted spice

PALATE:  The palate exhibits outstanding concentration and persistency, superbly complemented by silky texture and velvety tannins. Multi-layered, elegant and sophisticated.

ANALYSIS:  Alc. 14.0%   |  3.58 pH   |  5.5 TA

The fruit for this wine was hand-picked into small baskets then carefully and diligently hand sorted to ensure that no less than perfect fruit entered the winery. This fruit was then gently destemmed and moved to tank by gravity. A combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts was nurtured through fermentation in open topped tanks. Careful use of hand plunging was used to gently extract the flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French barriques for approximately 15 months.

Vigour and fertility in this block is very low resulting from the dense Loess Clay and the lack of top soil. Vines are exposed to the strong hillside winds reducing shoot length and reducing berry size. These vines are spur pruned, then extensively shoot thinned and leaf plucked by hand to retain 18 small bunches per vine. The main slope block contributes earthy, dense, rich, ripe and savoury characters result from the high mineral Loess Clay soils the vines grow in.

COLOUR: Deep red colour.

AROMA: Splendidly fruited, the immensely complex bouquet reveals Black Doris plum, dark cherry, floral thyme with nuances of dark mushroom and toasted spice.

PALATE: The palate exhibits outstanding concentration and persistency, superbly complemented by silky texture and velvety tannins. Multi-layered, elegant and sophisticated.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14% | pH 3.6 | TA 5.0

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit for this wine was hand-picked into small baskets then carefully and diligently hand sorted to ensure that no less than perfect fruit entered the winery. This fruit was then gently destemmed and moved to tank by gravity. A combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts was nurtured through fermentation in open-topped tanks. Careful use of hand plunging was used to gently extract the flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French barriques for approximately 15 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES: Vigour and fertility in this block are very low resulting from the dense Loess Clay and the lack of topsoil. Vines are exposed to the strong hillside winds reducing shoot length and reducing berry size. These vines are spur pruned, then extensively shoot thinned and leaf plucked by hand to retain 18 small bunches per vine. The single clone Able contributes earthy, dense, rich, ripe and savoury characters result from the high mineral Loess Clay soils the vines grow in.

COLOUR: Deep red colour

AROMA: Lifted primary berry and ripe plum aromas supported by floral notes and other complexing characters.

PALATE: Rich and ripe on the palate. Upfront weight and appeal with lashings of oak and tannin that give the wine a bold and lengthy structure. No shrinking violet- this wine is very drinkable and will have wide appeal.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14.5% | pH 3.67 | TA 5.8

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit for this wine was hand-picked into small baskets then carefully and diligently hand sorted to ensure that no less than perfect fruit entered the winery. This fruit was then gently destemmed and moved to tank by gravity. A combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts was nurtured through fermentation in open topped tanks. Careful use of hand plunging was used to gently extract the flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French barriques for approximately 15 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES: Vigour and fertility in this block is very low resulting from the dense Loess Clay and the lack of top soil. Vines are exposed to the strong hillside winds reducing shoot length and reducing berry size. These vines are spur pruned, then extensively shoot thinned and leaf plucked by hand to retain 18 small bunches per vine. The clones Able, 667, 777 and 115 are blended to offer complexities of clone however the distinct site characters of earthy, dense, rich, ripe and savoury characters result from the high mineral Loess Clay soils the vines grow in.

COLOUR: Deep red colour

AROMA: Berry fruit and dark plum aromas are complimented by savoury and gamey complexing characters including violets and dried spice.

PALATE: Rich and ripe on the palate. Very nice upfront weight with generous fruit and volume. Lashings of oak and tannin give this wine a bold and lengthy structure.

ANALYSIS: Alc. 14.5% | pH 3.60 | TA 5.5

WINEMAKER NOTES: The fruit for this wine was hand-picked into small baskets then carefully and diligently hand sorted to ensure that no less than perfect fruit entered the winery. This fruit was then gently destemmed and moved to tank by gravity. A combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts was nurtured through fermentation in open topped tanks. Careful use of hand plunging was used to gently extract the flavours and tannins from the skins. Maturation occurred in French barriques for approximately 15 months.

VITICULTURALIST NOTES: Vigour and fertility in this block is very low resulting from the dense Loess Clay and the lack of top soil. Vines are exposed to the strong hillside winds reducing shoot length and reducing berry size. These vines are spur pruned, then extensively shoot thinned and leaf plucked by hand to retain 18 small bunches per vine. The clones Abel, 667, 777 and 115 are blended to offer complexities of clone. However the distinct site characters of earthy, dense, rich, ripe and savoury characters prevail from the high mineral Loess Clay soils the vines grow in.

REVIEWS:

  • Flagship pinot noir that’s a selection of the best block from Auntsfield’s own vineyard. The delayed release of this concentrated wine has added some pleasing bottle age to rich plum, cherry, berry, five spice, anise and nutty oak flavours. Impressively complex wine supported by lively acidity that helps drive a lengthy finish. A big and very stylish pinot. (2012 Hawk Hill Pinot Noir).

    96 Points. BOB CAMPBELL, April 2019

  • Complex, rich and very attractive bouquet with aromas of spicy toasty oak then dark ripe berry fruits – black cherry then black currant, decent complexity. On the palate – firm, dry, youthful and attention seeking with chalky tannins, medium+ acidity and fruit flavours matching the nose. Overall a complex and enticing example with immediate drinkability and cellaring potential. Best from now and through 2028. (Hawk Hill Pinot Noir 2012)

    95 Points. CAMERON DOUGLAS. 2018

     

  • Wild roasting herbs and an array of super fresh cherry aromas, as well as fragrant spices and florals. Attractively pure red cherries. Terrific focus, line and length here. Drink or hold. (Hawk Hill Pinot Noir 2012)

    93 Points. JAMES SUCKLING. October, 2018

  • From their single block in the Southern Valleys, this is gloriously expressed on the nose displaying dark fruit, truffle, mature game and spice characters with nuances of bitter chocolate and espresso notes. The palate offers awesome fruit concentration and weight, combined with velvety texture and polished tannins. The wine is beautifully balanced and harmonious, and offers huge appeal with its bottle matured complexity. At its best: now to 2020. (Hawk Hill Pinot Noir 2012)

    96 points, WINE ORBIT. March 2017

  • Intense sweet fruit flavours with strong plum, red cherry and a suggestion of cassis plus spice and floral characters. This is a very impressive Pinot Noir with a perfectly pitched structure of ripe tannins that prevent any suggestion of cloying without inflicting any pain. Great now, even better later. (Single Block Hawk Hill Pinot Noir 2011)

    94 Points, BOB CAMPBELL, 2013

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